Iranians greet internet return with grief, anger and defiance

Key Points:

• Many Iranians expressed sorrow and anger over the internet restoration, emphasizing the loss of thousands of protesters during the January crackdown and insisting the memory of the fallen must not be forgotten.
• Viewers framed internet access as a fundamental human right that should never have been denied, criticizing the 88-90 day blackout as unjust and urging people not to lose hope in their struggle for freedom.
• Some rejected any notion that the government was doing a favor by restoring the internet, viewing it instead as a basic right and a tool that authorities had unsuccessfully tried to use as leverage.
• The so-called “Internet Pro” tiered access plan introduced during the blackout was widely condemned, with praise for those who refused to use it as an act of resistance and dignity.
• Skepticism remained about the motives behind the restoration, with concerns about economic hardships, ongoing power cuts, and a deep sense of disillusionment that the government does not truly care for its citizens.